19th of Greenery, fourth month of 984:

The Imperial Throne room was as noisy as always, filled with the whispers, and not so whispers, of the Empress bootlickers, court schemers and outright enemies of her position. Valcra did not care, for today her future fiance, not that he had been told of his future position, had managed to outwit all of the generals she had personally handpicked. Not a tall order, but his newfound title would demand a recompense. One she would happily give out. ‘Another purge of the upper echelons. At least these ones are morons.’

So brimming with happiness she was that, today, the surrounding area seemed regal, worthy of her. Not even the rags in front of her could dampen her mood. Well, the shameless Duchess Larra, not bowing down nor hiding her scowl was certainly a nuisance. Marquess Trilus did bow, and he had performed his play as a good behaved puppet should. The marquisate would end today or finally fall to her authority. Still, him letting that undead circus was a problem, but one which would cater to her needs, even if it did generate a bit of friction with some of her supporters.

The last patch of dirt in her palace was another pawn, escorted by two soldiers from the Inquisition. Noct was the same single minded fool as he was back then, blinded by promises of the past. If Larra was increasing her anger, Noct was just making her feel pity. He appeared as old as her and his body was on the verge of collapsing. Nonetheless, he stood as tall as he could. A pang of guilt assaulted her. She had expected him to play the bastard when she let him be the big fish of the small pound of Alpin and, surprising her, he had kept searching for resurrection magic in his lonesome. She hadn’t had to hide anything, he had acted with utmost secrecy.

But forgotten pawns had their uses and, what is a pawn in exchange for a rock?

“Duchess Larra.” Valcra tilted to a side on her throne, savouring the moment, “, I had heard rumours of your betrayal. Are those true?”

A new wave of whispers resonated by the sidelines, beyond the red carpet made of silk. Unsavoury ones, catering to her favours, assaulting the now undefended Duchess. Eager to try and please Valcra.

“That was no mere betrayal. This was a war against your tyranny of the North, Valcra.” The rumours increased in volume. Calls for guards and beheadings started to resonate.

Valcra raised a hand and the room quieted down. “On what grounds do you raise your hand against my authority, Duchess of the North?”

Larra smiled and, her figure increasing in presence, she answered, “On mine.”

The back of the ruby throne flashed in flames and Valcra sat properly. Her next words carried the weight of her bloodline behind, causing the air to tremble. “On behalf of your past loyalty, I will give you one last order. Return to my side and swear, on your bloodline’s honour and pedigree, to serve the Empire and the Fenix Dynasty, their absolute and rightful rulers. Bend the knee, Duchess Larra, or be the cause for the extinction of your noble and ancient Bloodline. The Snowflake’s destiny lies in your hands.”

Larra spat on the ground, “ I would rather follow an orc.”

The flames of the throne mover with vertiginous speed and enveloped Larra, burning her into cinders after a few seconds and returning to their previous position. Valcra’s mood had been soured.

Turning to Trilus, she started, “Marquiss Trilus, the Inquisition has reported some things I refuse to believe to be true. Would you kindly explain?”

Raising his head, Trilus’ voice carried itself with calmness despite the situation, nor had he jumped in terror as the other parasites in this room, “We were outgunned and outmatched by the enemy forces. Cooperation with the undead army was paramount for our success in quickly quelling the rebellion. Once the battle was over, we were in no way able to turn our swords against them, your Aflame Majesty.”

‘No lies.’ “So the rumours were true?”

“Yes, Daughter of the Fenix.”

‘Damned bastard!’ The frankness of Trilus was starting to up the grind that would be her plans. Already, voices had started to dance in the room even after her explicit order for silence. Her stance with the churches would take a bigger hit than expected, but Trilus was not a pawn she could lose.

Valcra’s voice returned to her usual, bored tone, “You have both surpassed and betrayed my expectations. You have achieved a glorious victory against overwhelming odds and a heresy that disgraces your position. Rewarding your victory would be an insult for what the Empire stands for, but condemning you would disrespect the sacrifices you and your forces have made for this victory. Instead, I will do both.”

“Marquess Trilus, by Imperial decree I declare you guilty of higher heresy and helping the undead menace to ravage our lands. Your victory will save you from capital punishment. Instead, I will rescind the unordinate closures of your vassal contract and you will lose your rank. Your lands will become the first and last Earldom of the Empire and you will lose your household name.” The flames behind her gained traction, “Raise, Earl Trilus, of the Betrayer Household, Regent-Lord over the East Earldom.” Sneers and some loud complaints over her lenience were muttered by the standing noblewomen and clergymen. Still, the punishment was enough from the nobles’ perspective. Bloodline was a fruit of the ancestors' labour, their pride. Being deprived and even ridiculed with one was a punishment far worse than its destruction, for no honour would be found in its new form., “Your bloodline will carry the shame of your actions.”

Trilus knelt in silence.

“I welcome you as my direct vassal. May your dishonour be cleared after your future conquest over the wolfmen lands.” That statement raised chaos in the room and paled Trilus’ face.

Valcra turned to Noct. “Heretic, utter your name.”

“You know very well who I am, your Highness.” The soldier on his left hit him on his side with the pommel of his sword, making him stagger. Another hit in the back made him kneel, for he was far too exhausted to resist physically.

“I do not keep track of all the third rated thugs on my Empire.” Valcra’s fingers started to tap on her throne. She directed her gaze to one of the soldiers.

“He is the past regent of the Barony of Alpin, Noct of the Ashen Household, our Eternal Flame.” He said, while rushing to kneel.

“I see. A simple unlanded noble then. Why has he been allowed to present himself in my presence?” Valcra had been the one who had allowed Marc, High Inquisitor, to grant Noct the chance to talk to her. Playing the ignorance card would help her, or so she had thought.

Before the soldier could answer, Noct interjected. “I have come to ask for self governance, autonomy, for the North, under the House of Snowflake, as is my right as one of the victorious commanders.”

If before the whispers had been quiet, now the room was full of the cacophony of irate elites.

Valcra almost cursed out loud. Her voice lowering in tone, “I have already made my will clear nor do an heretic have the right to partake on the right of Skill.”

“Then revoke the punishment. Also, I wasn’t an heretic when I won, right?”

The ruby throne started to crack under the pressure of the flames. “Leave us.”

Quick on the uptake, and always fearful of her wrath, no one made any questions as they left the throne room.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Once alone, Valcra growled, “You dare to threaten me in my own palace, Noct?”

A smirk, “Oh, so you knew my name after all, daughter of the Fenix. I feel unworthy of that honour.”

Valcra clenched her fists, “Give me a reason why I should not murder you right now.”

“Jacob would be sad, right? Or has he forgotten me with all of that Star of the Empire thing? Ah, a warning. You should tell your vassals to cut it down with the rumou…” Noct felt an unforgiving force grabbing his neck, and was promptly raised in the air by the power of Valcra’s mind.

Starting to suffocate, he tried to utter any words, only a small whimper leaving his lips. Before he could black out, the force vanished and he fell to the ground.

Valcra breathed in and out a few times to calm down. “You are not worthy of a quick death. Off with you to the tower. You have finally exhausted all of my good will.” Her flames calmed down. “Disappear from my sight.”

“You are not going to ask me to give up my research? I thought you had only expelled me from the academy to grant me the opportunity to continue it.” Noct recovered his smile, even if a bit of anger seeped into his tone.

“What research? Can you stop it with your manic ramblings?”

Now was Noct’s turn to growl, “So now that you have Jacob your grandmother doesn’t matter, huh?” Noct fought to get up, “You entice a broken and lost boy with promises of forbidden power and, once you are in slight danger of your pawn being discovered you discard it. And you dare, after all of that, to make light of all of our, my efforts and sacrifices?! You were always arrogant, but this is a step beyond.”

Valcra now felt her mood recover. “You, feeling guilty of your actions?” She let out a laugh, “Is today the day the Demon Lord comes back? Don’t make such jokes,“ Her voice turned cold as she inched forward, “, you are far too low to even feel regret.”

Noct raised his right hand, his collar now shining green as it suppressed the flow of mana. “Keep talking, Val, keep talking. We will see what happens!”

“Nothing will happen. Your research was void. You never managed once to revive anybody. The best you could do was an artificial consciousness, nothing more. And you being there means your last years granted you no enlightenment.” Understanding coming to Valcra, “...Your undead. That’s why they are able to exist in their autonomous mode! I see! They all have personalities, yes? That's why they were so powerful even if they were so young!”

Not being able to keep his arm up, he sighed. Resignation overtook him. “...did you send Marc to clean up your messes?”

“Oh, you noticed? Age really makes you smarter.” A going of joy shone in her eyes, all pity erased by his threats. “You are a pawn that has yet to be discarded. I have let you play your top dog game for long enough.” ‘Marc, if you may.’ She ordered telepathically.

Marc entered the room not a second later and, grabbing Noct, he carried him out of the room, after a respectful nod towards Valcra.

………………..

Eve, Lantraz and Kal were sitting in their new campment, near the End mountains, all the way north, outside of the Empire’s zone of control. Escorted by their most loyal followers, they remained in silence.

“It is useless.” Broke Eve, reopening the day-long debate of yesterday. “The magic has finally worn off and I am not standing here one more second.”

“You will die.” Uttered Kal. “Your sisters will also die.”

“I do not care.”

“For how long will you act as a kid, Eve!” Bellowed Lantraz, angry and mentally tired, “He gave his life for us to live! All of us charging into the most defended place of the Empire will, on top of betraying his wishes, doom us all! We have to retreat. We have to live, if not for ourselves, for him.” Every word he uttered lost him more traction. Trapped between its ideals, it found itself lost.

“I do not care about that either. Nobility, honour, his wishes. They matter not to me. I want him to live and live with me. That’s final.” Eve rose up and, calling her last sisters, stepped out of the tent.

“Wait!” Called Lantraz, as it rose to try and grab it. Another hand stopped him.

“It is useless. If we press her more she will fight us.” Whispered Kal.

Lantraz fell back on its ‘chair’, a big rock it had moved there.

“At the very least, he granted us a home. A cold and empty home, but we have the tools to make it feel like one. Huh, the End, was it? Ironic, for it will be the end of our journey. Our last chance.”

Lantraz tried to envision that future. It and its siblings, living in peace, building their homes.

“Do not dare think about that.” Kal raised in volume his tone. “I won’t lose more siblings today. I won’t allow it.”

Lantraz rose about, exchanging the weight on its shoulders for a lesser one. “I am sorry. I won’t be the same if I don’t do this today.”

“What gives you the right to leave me alone! What sense, what achievement is building a home for it to be deserted, without the people I wanted to share it with?! Of my family?!” Its voice broke, “Please, losing Eve is already hard. Do not make me say goodsbye to you too. I would rather follow you to death.”

“Someone needs to direct and lead our siblings.” Lantraz didn’t try to negate anything.

“They can do that themselves! For how long will you two, you three!, leave me the hard choices while you lot do what you want to do!” Kal punched Lantraz’s chestplate.

“Do you want to come, then?”

That froze Kal.

Lantraz patted Kal’s shoulder. “You are way stronger than me, brother. You know what's right and, even if you hate it the utmost, will do it nonetheless. I am weak. If you ask again, I will let you come, damned be the consequences for our brothers.” Lantraz smiled behind the helmet, “But you are better than that.”

“...Come back.” Kal dissipated in the air.

…………….

“Can you repeat that again, High Commander Andras?” Asked Soral, not really sure she was not in bed.

“I am resigning from my post, m’ Lady. All I ask for as retirement pay is a horse.” Repeated Andras, as he deposited his medals on top of the table. She had finally moved to Noct’s office, and it felt brighter than ever. A new paint job, conifer furniture and a bigger window would do that, he guessed.

“....Can I ask why?” Her hand had stopped writing and her eyes had stopped reading the reports. The new farm method had made the food production boom, causing a migration to Bonfire. A new four ring was being built and she was designing a second city from scratch.

Andras smiled, showing nothing, “I have always wanted to travel the world.”

The quill broke.

“Lady Soral?” Asked Andras, as a tear fell from Soral’s right eye.

“I have had to forsake my brother even as I finally began to believe he had come back and beaten his demons. I was willing to let past grievances be, to work on forgiving him. And I had to ditch him for the security of my lands, of my people. For the barony he, that we, had swore to protect.” She started, her words growing frenzied by the second, “And you come to me with such a silly excuse. Why are you allowed to throw aside everything?!”

Andras backed a step.

“You, who betrayed my brother the same as I, can now go to his side in his moment of plight and everything will be forgiven?! Damned be the peasants, the bourgeoisie and the clergy!” Her right fist hit the table. She breathed out. “I am the lady of this land. Noct, a necromancer, can never return for the safety of what I will protect, nor can I do anything other than defend for him a worse punishment for fear of Inquisitorial action. If you proceed with your vacations, know that you will be alone. I will cut you off completely for the barony.” Tears started to fall one after another. “Now, as Soral… please, don’t go. I need you here, Andras. Did you know? I haven’t forgiven you for never coming to visit after Noct discharged you. Come on, don’t leave me alone.”

Those words tore through his heart. Still, he had made his choice. “Samil will always be by your side. She will be appointed a knight next year. And I do not why you worry so much, it is just a vacation. I will come back.” He let out a strained smile.

Soral signed, trying to hold in the rest of the tears, “So be it. Grab whatever from the stables. Close the door after leaving.”

“I thank you for the kind farewell, my Lady.”

………….

“Necromancers pop out like ulcers! Damn them be, together with their bloody rituals!” The drunkard picked up their mug and took another long drink.

The tired barman just nodded along. Thankfully, the taverns of the Imperial Capital were always full, so he did not have to wait long until another customer saved him with a demand for more beverages.

‘A merry atmosphere, almost feels like Ice Garden.’ Reminiscenced Kraus. Dressed in commoners clothes, he had spent the last three days eyeing for rumours and, not trying to boost his ego, he had started to believe he had grown skilled at this so-called subtlety. With some leads already, he had come to rest and refuel. ‘But, the tower? That’s going to be a problem. I am not sure if me and my knights will be able to even come near it.’

Finishing his ale, he left six copper coins on the table and left the tavern. He was already dreading informing Maliz of the bad news. The following days would be busy.

…………….